Kenya has only ten days to pay Sh3.9 billion ($30 million) to Confederation of African Football and ensure Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani are ready within six months, or risk losing its right to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, speaking on Thursday before the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture, said the matter is urgent, noting that co-hosts Uganda and Tanzania have already paid their share.
“We have been given until March 30 to clear the hosting fee. Uganda and Tanzania have paid, but Kenya is yet to pay its share of about KSh3.9 billion,” Mwangi said.
He warned that CAF has insisted the payment is proof of commitment and failure to settle the fee could jeopardise Kenya’s hosting rights.
Mwangi also told the committee that Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums may not be ready within the required six months. He said the contractor renovating Kasarani Stadium has reduced its workforce due to a Sh3.7 billion debt, while the contractor at Nyayo Stadium has left the site over an unpaid Sh2.7 billion debt.
The developments come barely a month after the parliamentary committee rejected a proposal by the Ministry of Sports to increase the AFCON budget from Sh3.5 billion to KSh5 billion, saying the justification was inadequate.
The ministry had asked the committee to include Sh3.5 billion in a supplementary budget to help Kenya meet its obligations and avoid damaging its standing with CAF.
Mwangi told MPs he had led a delegation, including officials from Football Kenya Federation, on a benchmarking visit during the last AFCON in Morocco, but lawmakers maintained that Kenya’s financial commitment must reflect the shared nature of the tournament.
According to the Budget Policy Statement, the proposed ceiling for the Sports Department in the 2026/27 financial year stands at Sh25.49 billion, including Sh7.38 billion for recurrent spending and Sh18.11 billion for development.
Payment of the hosting fee and construction of stadiums and training facilities are key requirements under the joint East Africa “Pamoja” bid with Uganda and Tanzania.
With just ten days remaining, Kenya now faces a March 30, 2026, deadline to pay the hosting fee or risk losing the chance to host the tournament.
